Former Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw has
launched a scathing attack on FIFA, claiming world
football’s governing body conspired to see them
miss out on a place at the 2014 World Cup.

The Walia Antelopes failed to secure a ticket to this
year’s Brazil showpiece after losing their qualifying
play-off against Nigeria, with the Super Eagles
winning 2-1 in Ethiopia before securing a 2-0
victory at home in the return leg.

But Bishaw, who was relinquished of his duties
with the Ethiopian national team following their
failure to qualify, believes FIFA played a huge role
in the side’s shortcomings, accusing them of
“bringing the game into disrepute”.

“FIFA didn’t want us (Ethiopia) to qualify (for the
World Cup) because who knows Ethiopian football
and who wants us to qualify when we were playing
against the current African Champions,” the coach
told Football411 in an interview.

“We played our hearts out and we wanted to win
and qualify for the World Cup but FIFA didn’t like
that. They awarded penalties for them (Nigeria)
which were never penalties, and these things
happens because FIFA wants them to qualify for
the World Cup.

“It was a shame for Ethiopian football because we
fought from the (first) blast of the whistle to the
end. For me, Nigeria didn’t deserve to qualify
because they were aided by FIFA, which is not good
for the game of football.”